Broken or chipped tooth
A tooth can chip on food or crack in a fall. This page is for an adult or a teenager whose tooth has a sharp edge, a missing piece or a crack.
What happens
Step by step
- 01
Step 1: You call and save the piece
Rinse with warm water, keep any piece in milk and tell us what the tooth feels like.
- 02
Step 2: Dr. Olmos looks
An exam, and an X-ray if she needs one, to see how far the break goes.
- 03
Step 3: She protects the tooth
Smoothing a sharp edge, covering it or filling it, so the tooth is safe to leave.
- 04
Step 4: A plan for the repair
Some breaks are repaired that day. Others need a crown or more treatment. Usually one to three visits, and you'll hear the fee first.
Comfort, choices and care
What to expect
Comfort
We numb the area before we work. Tell us when you want a break.
If you wait
A small chip may be fine for a while. A crack that reaches the nerve can get worse. Dr. Olmos tells you which she sees.
Risks and after-care
A repaired tooth can still crack again, and she explains why. Written after-care goes home with you.
How it's billed
The estimate lists each step and what it costs. You get the fee in writing before treatment, and a receipt after. We file claims for many PPO plans.
How fees work
Questions about broken or chipped tooth
Should I save the piece?
Yes. Keep it in milk and bring it. Don't glue it back.
Can you repair it the same day?
Sometimes. It depends on the break, and Dr. Olmos tells you after she looks.
Will I need a crown?
Some breaks do. She'll show you on the X-ray why, and what the other options are.
Does it have to be a patient visit?
No. You don't need to be a patient to call.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Valeria Olmos, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Texas.